Hermann Zapf - Hunt Roman; the birth of a typeTopic: TypographyHunt roman; the birth of a type. Commentary and notes by Hermann Zapf and Jack Werner Stauffacher. Foreword by George H. M. Lawrence. Includes illustrations showing the development of this type face. View the Digital Book in the Carnegie Mellon University, Posner Collection.

"Rachel Hunt, who knew and loved both fine printing and beautiful design, commissioned Hermann Zapf to design a typeface that, while used as display type with Spectrum Monotype, would make the Hunt Institute's publications more elegant and graceful." Read more at the Roy A. Hunt Foundation website.

»The only way you can get a Gmail account is by invitation. (Thanks Johnny!) For almost nine months, gmailswap.com provided a place for nice people to help nice people. Now Gmail Swap is closed, and says: "Google is tossing out invitations as if they were candy - if you're looking for one, chances are that one of your friends, or someone at another online community, can help you out."

A. N. Palmer, handwriting expert, standing outdoorsTopic: CalligraphyHalf-length portrait of A. N. Palmer, handwriting expert, standing outside a building in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Palmer developed a new method of handwriting that was adopted by the board of education for instruction in Chicago schools.

Notes This photonegative taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer may have been published in the newspaper.

Font Masterclass 1 - Good, But Not For MastersTopic: TypographyExcerpted from The Digital Designer's Bible: The Ultimate Route Map To Stress-Free Best Working Practice For Print And Web Designers by Alistair Dabbs and Alastair Campbell, Digit presents the article "Font Masterclass 1." 19.Jan.2005.

"Though decidely not for font masters, the excerpt is a good primer on typeface useage, structure, and terminology. Novice designers -- and intermediates looking for a brush up -- will find it an easy, enlightening read." (via The Design Weblog)

Can we ever look at a pencil the same way again...?Topic: Pens, PencilsAmazing Micro Sculptures "Dalton Ghetti carves sculptures into the actual graphite of a pencil. These tiny works of art take years to complete and are extremely impressive when seen in real life." (Link via speedysnail.com)

JOHNOSSI - debut album!Topic: MusicThe full length album, simply named Johnossi, will be released for sale on January 26th, 2005. Listen to Execution Song on Border Records. Read about the Swedish rock duo JOHNOSSI (John and Ossi) on johnossi.com

Five hundred dollars in fines for poor handwritingTopic: CalligraphyPoor handwriting may result in fines - "Doctors with chicken scratch for handwriting who write illegible prescriptions could face discipline and up to $500 in fines per episode under a bill endorsed Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee." The panel voted 16-2 to send an amended version of House Bill 254, by Rep. Chris Harris, D-Bozeman, to the House floor for debate. Read the article by Charles S. Johnson, Helena, Montana in the Billings Gazette, 21.Jan.2005. (link via Kate Gladstone)

Original Picasso sells on Costco Web siteTopic: ArtThe crayon-on-paper drawing of a face signed and dated by Pablo Picasso was listed for $39,999.99 on the retailer's Web site January 12. It sold Wednesday, said Jim Sinegal, Costco's chief executive, who would not identify the buyer. Read the story at CNN.com 21.Jan.2005. (link via newsfromme)